About the Douglas Beach House
Home to the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society
| The Douglas Beach House is a legendary oceanfront live music club in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is home to the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, a non profit organization that has been presenting Sunday afternoon headliner Jazz and Classical Music with an ocean view since 1964. |
The Bach Society is a major contributor to the San Francisco live jazz scene by presenting national touring jazz concerts and classical performances in an intimate venue. According to the musicians, the Douglas Beach House is “the best small venue in the United States.” Founder, Pete Douglas, says, “We bring a chamber approach to music in a casual beachfront setting, respectful of both the artist and the audience.” All performances are open to the public and partially supported by members and contributors. Buffet and drinks available although you can bring your own wine!
Located directly on Miramar Beach in Half Moon Bay, 45 minutes from San Francisco and Silicon Valley, the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society is an intimate live music venue presenting Sunday afternoon headliner Jazz, Classical and World Music. We bring a concert approach to Jazz music, with a club ambiance. There is a communal feeling to the Beach House and Concert Room, a room that brings the musicians and audience together in a special way. As a registered non-profit since 1964, the Bach is partially supported through memberships, but is not member-only. It is open to the public seeking the artistic and musical styles that may interest them.
Though not a bar or restaurant operation, we cater a light buffet and have a wine and beer bar. You can bring your beverages into the Concert Room. Patrons may also bring their own picnics if they confine their eating to the outer decks, weather permitting. Our motivation is for everybody to have a musical experience. Yes, we clear out the chairs and dance occasionally.
It’s Worth It
We are a intimate venue (200 capacity) right on the beach. For 42 years folks have felt privileged to have found this unique and special “home for jazz.” The acoustics are exquisite, and no seat is more than 35 feet from the stage. Musicians love to play here, partly because of the intimacy. They can see us easily as we can see them. It makes a difference, and they respond.
Although a musical pleasure, a small venue inherently has monetary limitations. Due to the high cost of quality talent, their overnight accommodations, and other production costs, seldom is a concert profitable for the Bach. Nor does the Bach own the food and wine concessions provided on performance days. To compensate, Pete Douglas has depended on rental of the Douglas Beach House (home of the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society) for offsite meetings, weddings and parties. Memberships, co-sponsorships and donations are the only other form of income for the Bach Society. They are essential to keeping this unique musical experience alive. Download the application and be a contributor to Friends of the Bach. Our thanks to those who understand and respond.
Please email or call 650 726-4143 for more information. Thank you!
© 2001-2010 Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society